14 karat yellow and white gold
USA, circa 1925
Stamped: ‘14k’ on clasp, ‘P.ps’ on mounting
Carved sardonyx cameo
Seed pearls ranging in size from 1.50 - 2.50 mm
Engine turned yellow gold with applied white gold bow motifs
Hinged pin stem with fold over clasp and pendant swivel
Dimensions: 1 ½ x 1 ¾ in. (3.81 x 4.44 cm.)
Total weight: 12.7 dwt, 19.7 grams
Very good condition

The sardonyx hard stone cameo depicts the profile of a woman in a Grecian dress with upswept hair wearing a diadem. The cameo is set into a serrated bezel surrounded by an engine turned yellow gold openwork frame which has four matte finished and engraved white gold ribbon forms applied equidistantly around the frame and are centered by a 2.50 millimeter seed pearl. The frame is further highlighted by a row of seed pearls that have been strung and positioned within the center of the openwork areas of the brooch. The back of the brooch has a hinged pin stem with a fold over clasp in addition to a hinged swivel pendant bale. In very good condition with the clasp and swivel both in good working order.

Italy has had a long history pertaining to the art of cameo carving which dates back to the ancient world and reached its zenith in the late 19th century. The two most common materials that one finds cameos carved from are shell and stone (hard stone). Since stone is much harder than shell, it is also more difficult to carve and the quality of the carving is a testament to the skills of the carver. In the world of cameos, hard stone cameos are more highly prized and sought after. The brooch being offered would be a welcome addition to any collector’s jewelry box, curio cabinet, or just gracing the neck of a beautiful woman.